When Chaz Perron's wife discovers that he is running a scam (posing as a marine biologist to doctor water samples so that an agribusiness tycoon can continue illegally dumping fertilizer into the Everglades), he pushes her overboard from a cruise liner. Unlucky for Chaz, Joey survives clutching a bale of Jamaican pot. Rescued from the Atlantic by a former police officer, Mick Stranahan, she decides not to report him but instead haunt and taunt him, with Mick's help, by playing dead.

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Audible Editor Reviews

Charles "Chaz" Perrone is a real scumbag, but he's the love of Joey Perrone's life. That is, until he dumps her over the side of a cruise ship. But, due to her history as a swimming champ, her lucky find of a bale of Jamaican pot and a rescue by ex-cop Mick Stranahan, she lives to take out her revenge on the poor slob.

Set in south Florida and full of eccentric characters who come to life with Hiassen's vivid character sketches, Skinny Dip is laugh-out-loud funny. The narrator adds to the story with the excellent interpretation of the characters. Hard to put the headphones down with this one!

Publisher's Summary

When Chaz Perron's wife discovers that he is running a scam (posing as a marine biologist to doctor water samples so that an agribusiness tycoon can continue illegally dumping fertilizer into the Everglades), he pushes her overboard from a cruise liner. Unlucky for Chaz, Joey survives clutching a bale of Jamaican pot. Rescued from the Atlantic by a former police officer, Mick Stranahan, she decides not to report him but instead haunt and taunt him, with Mick's help, by playing dead. As a result, Chaz becomes increasingly erratic and inept, a fact noticed by his ruthless and cold-blooded coworkers. Also, the six-time-married Mick rediscovers the thwarted romantic in him, believing that the seventh time might be the charm.

What the Critics Say

"At this point in his career as a comic novelist, Carl Hiaasen did not need to get any better. He has long been writing smarty, fizzy Floridian escapades that amount to pure reading pleasure. But Skinny Dip, his latest, is something more: a screwball delight so full of bright, deft, beautifully honed humor that it places Mr. Hiaasen in the company of Preston Sturges, Woody Allen and S.J. Perelman....Mr. Hiaasen writes with finesse." (The New York Times) "Hiaasen's signature mix of hilariously over-the-top villains, lovable innocents and righteous indignation at what mankind has done to his beloved Florida wilderness is all present in riotous abundance in his latest....Hiaasen's books are so enjoyable it's always a sad moment when they end." (Publishers Weekly) "No reprobate escapes the satirical eye of Hiaasen, who writes like the love child of Hunter S. Thompson and Evelyn Waugh....Like Hiaasen's nine previous novels, this one's a corker, chock-full of belly laughs and blistering truths." (Booklist)

We know 'who done it' from the start after the wife is thrown from the deck of a cruise ship. We could say, 'And this is where the fun begins,' but, truth is, in typical Hiaasen style we've had a great deal of fun already. From the opening paragraph to page 355 of 'Skinny Dip' laughter abounds. Someone has said 'Carl Hiaasen is so good he ought to be illegal.' Right on! The audible voice is impeccable that he even brings the female voices to life. This is a 'can't miss' book if there ever was one.And the audible effort is first-rate.

I listen to my audible books while I commute to work. This one I could not stop listening to. This is the first book I actually listend to out of the car. I just couldn't get enough. The characters were great and the story was most entertaining.

Hoye has a very droll delivery style which meshes extremely well with Hiaason's "over the top" fictional style. It's a great combination. I loved it, my 13 year old daughter loved it (although I had to fast forward through some of the gamier sections) and my wife loved it. Many of Hiaason's characters are so off the wall that his books aren't realistic, but I don't think they're supposed to be. Reading his stuff is an entrance into another world, bizzare and very funny. I love his stuff, but I don't take it seriously.

I liked Hoye so much I tracked down a couple of his other books. He's that good.

This is a typical Carl Hiaasen novel - off beat characters, vaguely amusing situations, Florida setting. What makes this one outstanding is the narration. Stephen Hoye does one of the best jobs ever narrating this novel, with excellent vocal characterizations which make the story. I'm not sure I would have liked this in printed form, but really enjoyed the audio version.

This was a funny, smart guilty pleasure that was just what I was looking for after finishing a heavier, more emotional book. I was looking for something light and amusing, a good way to pass some reading time. It took a little while to enjoy the reader - a little too loud and over the top initially. But either he settled down or I got used to the style. It was not long before I was happily going along for the ride. Chock full of entertaining characters. I really fell in love with Tool. So what if there was predictability and outrageous behavior. It was so well strung together and I couldn't wait for Chaz to get his come uppance - over and over again. One of the most fun reading experiences in a while. Well recommended.

If you want rolling on the floor laughter this is not a comedy in that sense. However a study in human foibles is amusing. As one person said, "You know who done it." in the first few pages the point is that you DON'T know the twisted web of deceit will unravel. It's a funny book with a good heart, I found all the good guys likable and all the scoundrels, buffoonish, wicked and worth laughing at. The narrator nailed all the voices. A great listen! (Last star not added because I'm getting more picky - and lest anyone get their hopes up TOO high - making whatever they hear unable to reach too lofty an expectation.)

I'm not going to say much about this book. It was my first Carl Hiassen book, and I'm glad to have found such a treasure! The writing is a mixture of Elmore Leonard and Kurt Vonnegut. There is a truth and accuracy to the dialog and characters, with a story that is biting, satirical, and an extremely insightful parody of Florida and the rest of this looney bin we call modern society. The audio presentation is superb. I laughed, I laughed, and I laughed some more. I have shared this program with two others, both of whom are as blown away as I am. I frankly do not understand how anyone could give this audiobook less than five stars. This is really great stuff - don't miss it!

I listened to this story on a cross-country drive across the US. It was so funny, I laughed out loud, and rarely do that. The wacky characters such as the loser husband who can't ever do anything right, the "murdered" wife, and the hairy bodyguard were priceless. But a special award goes to the narrator who did the best job with his characterizations I have heard on Audible to date. Well worth the download.

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